UN Experts Urge Iran to Release Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi

A group of UN special rapporteurs have called on Iran to "immediately and unconditionally" release Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, and all other female human rights defenders.

The experts, including Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, said these women are jailed for their peaceful activism, which includes defending gender equality and human rights.

Mohammadi is currently serving multiple sentences which total over 13 years in Tehran’s Evin prison for her human rights activism, including a new case brought against her over advocating for the rights of female inmates subjected to sexual offenses by government officials.

The experts condemned her unfair trials and extended sentences, including an additional year added on 18 June for "propaganda against the state."

"We are alarmed about the unfair proceedings and lengthy sentences handed to human rights defender, Narges Mohammadi, directly related to her peaceful exercise of her rights to freedom of expression and assembly in the pursuit of gender equality in Iran," the experts said.

"Unduly covering charges under the framework of 'national security' or 'propaganda against the state' in order to silence critical voices needs to stop,” they added.

The experts noted an increase in arrests of women's rights activists in recent years.

Iranian officials have warned that individuals protesting against compulsory veiling may face national security charges. "Women human rights defenders challenging the imposition of a compulsory dress code on women are acting in defense of universally guaranteed human rights. We urge the government of Iran to remember that," the experts said.

They reiterated that the use of repressive laws to criminalize freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is incompatible with Iran's international human rights obligations.

"The use of repressive legislation to criminalize the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is incompatible with Iran’s obligations under international human rights law," they emphasized.